Friday, February 13, 2015

I've heard about these new Martin Retro series guitar strings, after reading an article about Tony Rice and his preference for Monel (nickel) wrapped guitar strings. I was grazing around on the Martin site trying to get more info and came across this video.

I ordered several sets of the Tony Rice Signature version of these strings, since they are medium's and that's the gauge I play on my Martin D-18, J-40, and my Taylor GS Custom built. I will let you know what I experience in the next couple of weeks. I'll be recording a music video with some friends in the next few months as part of a volunteer project for the folks at the Hugworks Children's Network. I will need some time to figure out if these strings sound OK acoustically, and when plugged in to an amp or PA.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Call me weird, call me strange, call me a teen from the 70's . . . but this is still one of my favorite songs of all time.

Released in October of 1972 (if my memory serves me correct), this is a recording of John singing the song in 1994 at a concert in Australia. He shared in an interview once that this song took him over 9 months to write.

It was confirmed last night that Tom Petty died after being found in his home unresponsive and in full cardiac arrest. Tom and the Heartb...

THANKS FOR DROPPING IN . . .

Rick's Song Bag . . .

is the blog of Rev. Rick Mang, a United Methodist clergyman who lives in Texas where he serves as pastor of a church in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Rick is also a Certified Therapeutic Music Entertainer who sings for senior adults in area nursing, rehab and retirement homes, and in senior activity centers. Rick also sings for different church and community groups and events as his schedule allows.

For more information about Therapeutic Music Entertainment, singing to senior adults, or to start a music conversation, please email Rick at revrickmang@gmail.com.

I have been blessed to have had several mentors along my life's journery. Joe Laughlin was one of them. Joe was my "adopted" big brother, best friend, guitar and vocal mentor, and fellow Christian folk philospher. I miss him.

CHILDREN'S WORSHIP CD

Rick still has copies of his Children's Worship CD ... contact him by email at revrickmang@gmail.com to get a copy! Postage paid in the US. Donations are accepted. Free if that's how you want it.

Would you like to share your story about your favorite musical instrument?

I am soliciting stories about people and their favorite instruments to make music with. If you would like to share your story, then please contact me at revrickmang@gmail.com. I will get back with you to soon.

DISCLAIMER . . .

It goes without saying . . .

The thoughts, opinions, ideas, stories, meditations, prayers, and other information written anywhere on this blog are usually my own ramblings and responses to things I have seen, heard, read or witnessed. I write out of the ever changing and conflicted struggle that exists between my head and my heart as I try to live out my life mission in the best and most productive way I can.

What I write or share in no way reflects the views of any church, denomination, political party, friend, relative, writer, musical group, musician friend, artist, fishing buddy, fellow hiker, walker, other blogger, city, state, county, nation, or for that matter anybody else you possibly could ever hope to think of.

Sometimes, the words and thoughts of others are so well written, and touch me so deeply, that I am moved to share them. When and if I share the words and thoughts of others, I honestly try to give and acknowledge appropriate credit, and will do so if you bring it to my attention that I haven't.